Siege of Aleppo

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Siege of Aleppo. Part of Byzantine-Arab Wars Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid The city of Aleppo Date July–October 637 AD Location Aleppo, Syria Result Decisive Muslim victory Belligerents Rashidun Caliphate Byzantine Empire, Ghassanids Commanders Khalid ibn al-Walid, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah Joachim Strength 17,000 Unknown Casualties and losses Minimal Unknown but more than Muslims.

v • d • e Byzantine-Arab Wars Early Conflicts Mutah – Tabouk – Dathin – Firaz Arab Conquest of Roman Syria Qarteen – Bosra – Ajnadayn – Marj-al-Rahit – Fahl – Damascus - Maraj-al-Debaj - Emesa - Yarmouk – Jerusalem - Hazir – Aleppo Arab Conquest of Roman Egypt Heliopolis – Nikiou Umayyad Conquest of North Africa Carthage Arab Invasions of Anatolia and Constantinople Iron Bridge - Kahramanmaraş – Masts – 1st Constantinople – Syllaeum – 2nd Constantinople – Akroinon Arab Campaigns in Southern Italy Later Byzantine Campaigns

v • d • e Campaigns of Khalid ibn al-Walid Conquest of Arabia Uhud – Mu'tah – Mecca – Hunayn – Ta'if Ridda Wars Yamama – Zafar – Daumat-ul-Jandal – Buzakha – Ghamra – Naqra Conquest of the Persian Empire Chains – River – Walaja – Ullais – Hira – Al-Anbar – Ein-ul-tamr – Daumat-ul-Jandal – Muzayyah – Saniyy – Zumail – Firaz Conquest of Roman Syria Firaz – Qarteen – Bosra – Ajnadayn – Marj-al-Rahit – Fahl – Damascus - Maraj-al-Debaj - Emesa - Yarmouk - Jerusalem – Hazir - Aleppo Campaigns in Anatolia Iron Bridge - Kahramanmaraş

The Siege of Aleppo, the Byzantine strong hold and one of there remaining castles in northern Levant after decisive Battle of Yarmouk, was laid between July and October 637.

[edit] Background

After the decisive Battle of Yarmouk, Muslims marched north ward deeper in to the Syria, after conquest of many small and large cities both Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah and Khalid ibn al-Walid met at Qinnasarin, and the army marched to Aleppo, where a strong garrison under a Roman general named Joachim held the fort. Aleppo consisted of a large walled city and a smaller but virtually impregnable fort outside the city atop a hill, a little more than a quarter of a mile across, surrounded by a wide moat.

[edit] The Battle

Byzantine commander at Aleppo, Joachim, met the Muslim army under the command of Khalid and Abu Ubaidah in open out side the fort. He was defeated and hastely retreated to the fort. He boldy launched many sallies to break the siege but failed every time. With no signs of any help from the emperor Heraclius, who however, could send none; around October 637, the Romans surrendered on terms according to which the soldiers of the garrison were allowed to depart in peace. Joachim converted to Islam along with his 4000 (strong) Greek soldiers. He proved himself, remarkably able and loyal officer, and fought gallantly under various Muslim generals.^[1]

[edit] Aftermath

Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah sent a column under Malik bin Ashtar to take Azaz on the route to 'Rome'. The region which the Muslims called Rome included the area which is now Southern Turkey east of the, Taurus Mountains. Malik, assisted by Joachim, captured Azaz and signed a pact with the local inhabitants, whereafter he returned to Aleppo. The capture and clearance of Azaz was essential to ensure that no large Roman forces remained north of Aleppo, whence they could strike at the flank and rear of the Muslims as the next major operation was launched. As soon as Malik bin Ashtar rejoined the army, Abu Ubaidah marched westwards to capture Antioch, which was captured after Battle of Iron bridge on October 30, 637.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

• A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns, Nat. Publishing. House, Rawalpindi (1970) ISBN 0-71010-104-X.

[edit] External links

• A.I. Akram, The Sword of Allah: Khalid bin al-Waleed, His Life and Campaigns Lahore, 1969